Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Nigerian judiciary of being riddled with corruption, alleging that many judges and lawyers have compromised the integrity of the legal system.
Speaking on Monday at the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, in Abuja, El-Rufai lamented that public confidence in the judiciary has significantly eroded due to delayed justice, procedural inefficiencies, and what he described as “judicial compromise.”
In the text of the former governor’s address was shared with journalists, El-Rufai said “Our judiciary—meant to be the bedrock of fairness and order—is under intense scrutiny.
“The rise in forum shopping, weaponisation of ex parte orders in political matters, and the growing perception that justice is for sale and available only to the rich and powerful would cause the perceptive observer to conclude that what Nigerian courts do is the administration of law, not justice.”
El-Rufai, a lawyer and alumnus of the University of London, criticised the apparent alliance between judicial outcomes and executive influence.
He urged legal practitioners to reflect deeply on their roles, questioning whether the scales of justice are still held in balance.
He faulted the National Judicial Council (NJC) for allegedly failing in its core disciplinary responsibilities, citing inconsistent rulings on electoral matters, opaque judicial appointments, and lenient punishments for erring judges.
“The perception of judicial corruption is now mainstream,” he stated.
“The NJC, I would respectfully say, has not succeeded in its mission and is itself in need of reform and restructuring.”
He noted a decline in respect for judges, saying the reverence once associated with members of the bench has been replaced by public ridicule.
“Once upon a time, ordinary citizens tiptoed past the homes of judges. Not any longer. Now, judges are maligned with reckless abandon,” he added.
El-Rufai also highlighted the difficult working conditions faced by many judicial officers but stressed that the issues extend beyond individual misconduct.
“The problem is not merely one of bad actors—it is also one of weak institutions and a lack of courageous leadership within the Bar,” he said.
“We must support judicial independence while demanding judicial accountability.”
He called for comprehensive reforms, including overhauls of the NJC, improved funding for the judiciary, transparent judicial appointments, and stricter disciplinary measures for misconduct on the bench.
The former governor also criticised the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it could set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
He questioned the legitimacy of the voice vote used by the National Assembly to approve the emergency rule.
“All eyes are now on the Kekere-Ekun court on the action of the current president to remove elected executives and legislators,” he said.
“Many informed Nigerians are curious to know whether two-thirds of all members of the National Assembly can be determined through voice votes.”
He cited past judgments by the Uwais-led Supreme Court (2006–2007) that limited presidential powers under states of emergency and reversed controversial gubernatorial impeachments.
Turning his focus to the NBA, El-Rufai charged the association to clean up its own ranks, citing the need to strengthen internal discipline and professional ethics.
“We cannot demand integrity in public life while tolerating mediocrity or malpractice within our own ranks,” he said. “Let us invest not just in the glamour of conferences but in the grit of reform.”
He urged the Bar to prioritise ethical reforms, continuing legal education, a strong pro bono culture, and democratic leadership practices.
“It is time to renew the moral foundations of our Association—not through slogans, but through structure and deliberate, well-considered action,” he concluded.
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